An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(12 pages, 2.0 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 32 MB, for close research
Page 1 — C.S.C.L. SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING; PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XVI No. 3 Spring 1967
C.S.C.L. SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING
April 8, 1967 Barrie, Ont.
PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
As we leave our 17th year of C.S.C.L. and enter the 18th, we are reminded of the way we have come -- from our first exhibition at Ryerson Institute to today's recognition of leathercraft as one of the art crafts. I think C.S.C.L. can realistically take credit for this recognition, for we have been truly instrumental in raising standards, not only in Canada, but through our participation in the International Assembly of Leathercraftsmen, in some parts of the United States as well. The acceptance of the work of three of our members as part of a Canadian crafts exhibition at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.A. is an example of this recognition of raised standards. We must continue to insist on high standards in our own work and exhibitions.
Our increasing membership is an encouraging sign of greater interest in the craft and the enthusiasm of our newer members brings members of long standing to a fresh outlook on its possibilities. We have not lacked for assistants at either the C.N.E. Arts, Crafts and Hobby Show or at our annual Christmas Sale and their help is appreciated greatly. The sale was again very successful and high standards of work for sale were maintained through screening. This screening policy will be continued for all sales and exhibitions.
We have been active in planning a travelling exhibition for the Community Programs Branch as part of their series of travelling craft exhibitions. This is still in process of assembly.
C.S.C.L. is acting this year as host for the International Assembly at the Park Plaza Hotel in Toronto, May 5, 6 and 7 and members are urged to attend and bring their best work for display.
All material published in "Canadian Leathercraft" is the property of the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft, and may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the Society.
Editor is Mrs. Gerry Mills, 1739 Jane St. Weston, Ont.
Authorized as Second-Class Mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa and for payment of postage in cash.
Page 2 — WESTON TROPHY
The executive has met at. regular intervals throughout the past year, with several members doing extra work on its committees. I would like to express my appreciation to the Executive Council for its support and faithful attendance at the meetings.
Dorothy Muma
The success of the Annual could be contributed to the co-operation and willingness of every member in the Barrie branch to do his or her part, and to help his fellow member, whether it was or was not their particular duty; also to the obliging church officers and the special space priveleges in the church. Last but very important, the delicious luncheon served by the Central United Church ladies.
Two members qualified as Associates - Mrs. Jessie Strain of Galt, a Hamilton member and Mrs. Marg Weldon of Ancaster, also a Hamilton member.
The Board of Selection also was pleased to announce another Honorory Associate member - Mrs. Dorothy Read, Toronto for her work in the C.S.C.L. particularly behind the scenes and her assistance given so willingly during C.N.E. time.
Mrs. Margaret Weldon also was the recipient of the Centennial award. The Centennial pin was donated by Janis Zalitis to be awarded to the Associate with the highest points this year. Congratulations Margaret!
WESTON TROPHY
Toronto Branch of C.S.C.L. were the proud winners of the Weston Trophy in 1967 with a score of 93.22%. Barrie followed with 89.55%, Hamilton 84.13% and London 71.02%. Toronto branch members who submitted articles were Nan Ashley, Fred Brown, Ann Hook, Gladys Riddell and Clarice Packham.
COMING.EVENTS COMING EVENTS***COMING EVENTS***COMING EVENTS** October 19-28 Group Show at the Craft Gallery, 75 Bloor Street West, Toronto featuring Jewellery, Enamels, Batiks and Ceramics. November 1 - 4 C.S.G.L. annual sale also held at the Craft Gallery. All sale articles will be made by members of the Society and an excellent selection will be available.
[The page spells it "priveleges" — the Society's own spelling — and it is kept as printed.]
Page 3 — RECREATION * "THE JOY OF LIVING"
RECREATION * "THE JOY OF LIVING"
by Peter L. Cavill
Simcoe County Community Recreation Director
(as presented at the C.S.C.L. Annual, Barrie)
It is indeed a pleasure to be invited as your quest speaker here today. In order that I might become more acquainted with the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft, I took a peek at your program of last year.
I was particularly pleased, when I saw the program, to see the name of your last year's speaker - Mr. Alan Hersh of the Council of Jewish Organizations, Hamilton, because this reminded me of a story. (Mr. Cavill then related the story of the Irishman and the Rabbi).
Why I have been asked to be your speaker I'm not quite sure. It certainly isn't because of my proficiency in crafts, although I was introduced to the basic skills of leathercraft through very unusual circumstances. It was a particular war-time experience which resulted in my learning how to make a canvas bag from barrage balloon material. I wasn't particularly impressed by the efficiency of H.M. Forces Transportation Office but I did learn how to make a bag.
One other thing I learned in the services was a repertoire of jokes - which never cease to come to my aid on occasions like this. (Mr. Cavill at this point related a story which had a punch line of "What did you put your foot in it for?")
This story, of course, helped me in choosing my speech topic. If I talked about Leathercraft I would really be putting my foot in it. So instead, I decided to talk on a subject I am a little more familiar with - RECREATION.
Please don't get the idea that I think that leathercraft isn't recreation, but I want to discuss the whole field of recreation. And here we have the true immeasurable dimension. It encompasses every activity that man chooses to do in his leisure time, which gives him pleasure simply because of the doing of it.
Examples: It can be -
The most strenuous exercise or sport
The most passive of pastimes
The solving of the most intricate of problems
The simplest of games-like saying "Boo" to baby
It can be employing your ingenuity in crafts or simply just rocking in your rocking chair.
[Faint mirror-image text from the reverse side of the sheet (p9, this same article’s continuation) shows through this page; it is not part of this page’s text.]
Page 4 — C.S.C.L. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE 1967-68
Gusset has been cut too long, causing the corners not to fit and hold shape properly. Opening could have been larger. It has a good finish, suitable for a shoe bag.
Card case - A useful article. Lacing would look better if finer and the same color as leather as it is the lacing that forms a frame rather than part of the article. Beautiful dye job.
Belt - Design on belt needs more dye. The edges and back are excellent. Loop a little large. Loop should be made of same leather as belt, otherwise a pleasing article.
Purse - Nicely lined and laced. Gussets fit well and well-shaved at bottom. Something wrong with stiffener. Width of handle not comfortable to the hand and could be longer. Rivets could have been leather covered.
Picture - A lot of work put into this picture. It is a commercial design - four pictures in one, making it too busy. Frame quite in keeping with picture. We feel that the person who made this picture and had this much technique at her fingertips, should and will likely strive easily to go far with her talent. Probably some toning would bring out more detail in picture.
C.S.C.L. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE 1967-68
| President - | Mrs. Dorothy Muma |
| Past president - | Viola Harris |
| Vice president - | Mrs. Irva Ford |
| Vice president - | Mrs. Margaret McFarlane |
| Recording secretary - | Mrs. Thelma Terry |
| Corresponding secretary - | Mrs. Mae Corbett |
| Treasurer - | Cecil J. Roebuck |
Executive Council: Gel Brigden, Mrs. Clara Cavanagh, Alvin Haig, Mrs. Nora Huyck, Mrs. Anne Hook, Miss Betty Henstridge, J.A. Layton, Mrs. Helen Wheaton, Jean Newton, Gerry Mills, Mrs. Dorothy Proctor, Mrs. Sadie Roebuck, Mrs. Olivia Smith, Mrs. Gladys Riddell, Mrs. Ruth Haig.
Historian - Robert Muma
[The four item-critique headings on this page (Card case, Belt, Purse, Picture) continue the Weston Trophy judge's remarks from pages 7-8, each heading preceding its own paragraph as printed. The officer list's first line prints "President - Mrs. Dorothy Muma"; the Belleville branch's own president is on page 12.]
Page 5 — MORE NEWS FROM THE ANNUAL
Of course, facilities and planning alone cannot solve the problem. We must get back to the most important ingredient - PEOPLE. People have to learn what recreation really means. People have to find new ways of carrying over their present activities into other exciting experiences and so prevent boredom and delay the process we call aging.
By carry-over activities - I can best explain it by the following verse:
There was a little Dachshund once, So long, it had no notion,
How long it took to notify
His tail of his emotion.
And so it was, that though his eyes Were filled with woe and sadness, His little tail kept wagging on Because of previous gladness.
It will be through the efforts of Ambassadors of Recreation, such as all of you gathered here this morning, people who know the values of recreation; that other people will be enabled to learn.
Go out - Spread the word - Encourage others to join you and lead the way.
Involve yourselves in new experiences. Use your leisure time to its best advantage and help to establish a nation which will be based on the "JOY OF LIVING" - RECREATION.
MORE NEWS FROM THE ANNUAL
The Question Box proved interesting for most of the members and was capably conducted by Mrs. Jean Newton. It was most encouraging to see members inquiring about their leather problems and their queries were capably answered by experts in the different fields.
/ Demonstrations were varied and capably given by the following well known craftsmen:
Carving & Decorative cuts - Garnet Pratt, Barrie Saddle Stitching - Mrs. Helen Wheaton, London Simple Box Covering - Mrs. Nora Huyck, Barrie Dyeing Techniques - Lloyd Cook, Barrie
Cutting Lacing - Miss Reta Holmsn, Hamilton Small Articles - Mrs. Marion Kehoe, London
Mrs. Joan Caroll
[One correction after checking the printed page: "And so it was" (not "iowas") in the Dachshund verse.]
[The page types "Miss Reta Holmsn" and "Mrs. Joan Caroll" - the Society's own slips for the Reta Holman and Joan Carroll it names elsewhere; both are kept as printed.]
Page 6 — CRAFT, DESIGN SCHOOL SET UP IN PORT CREDIT
CRAFT, DESIGN SCHOOL SET UP IN PORT CREDIT
Minister of Education, William Davis announced recently the establishment of the Ontario School of Crafts and Design at Port Credit.
The school will be in buildings formerly occupied by Lorne Park College. It will be administered by Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology. The Ontario Craft Foundation will act as advisory board.
The aim of the school is to provide courses in creative design and to produce professional crafts. The academic approach to teaching crafts, it is hoped, will bring specialists from many countries to Ontario. Some excellent programs in individual crafts have been provided in technical schools and various short-term courses taught by craftsmen in Canada. But, for a general approach, students have had to attend courses in the United States and Europe.
The two-year course for day students will emphasize design development and practical work in a wide variety of materials. Specialized studies in the second year will provide opportunities to develop skills in clay, glass, textiles, metals, wood, plastics and other materials.
Science, as it applies to crafts - the composition and effects of materials - will be included. English and business practice - how to sell, where and how to research the market - are on the curriculum.
One of the aims of the school is to develop creative designers in Canada who can help establish a craft industry in the province.
Another is to produce craft teachers who will be able to instruct in a wide range of specialties and who will be available for consultation or to help set up recreation programs designed for leisure time hobbyists.
Mr. Davis said the Ontario School of Crafts and Design was established with the aid of the Ontario Craft Foundation, as well as guilds and working craftsmen.
The school will be open in September and registrations are being accepted. It will be open to all Grade 12 (Ontario) graduates. Adults over the age of 19 will also be considered. Accomodation will be available for out-of-town students.
Page 7 — JUDGES REMARKS ON WESTON TROPHY ENTREES
JUDGES REMARKS ON WESTCN TROPHY ENTREES
at 17th Annual, Barrie
Toronto - Winner of Weston Trophy with 93.2%
| Purse- | Interior well finished. The edges rolled over heavy cord, making a neat well-finished edge. Handle could have been longer. Shorter handle personal taste. Frame well covered but a lighter weight leather could have been used so the corners wouldn't be cut, just skived and eased around the corners of purse frame. |
| Photo frame- | Three-D technique. Turned edges very neat. Beautifully done. |
| Gloves - | Men's gloves from deerskin. Beautifully cut and stitched, except for one finger. Well made. |
| Wall plaque- | exceptable size, can be hung any way - up or down or across, but something, such as thong, should have been on plaque to hang it by. Maple leaves artistically carved and dyed. Ingenious leather frame. |
| Box- | Three-D tooling, mission grain leather dyed. Supurb workmanship. Decoration is completely part of the top of box. |
Barrie - 89.5%
| Bottle - | pleasing combination in texture and colour. Eye-catching, should fit into modern decor. Good workmanship. |
| Magazine rack- | Good applied design. Dye colour might have been a little deeper toward the top. A heavier leather might have been used or a re-enforcement along top edge. A pleasing article. |
| Ship picture- | Leather nicely moulded. Background and frame suitable. In making a leather project, one must make sure that the leather is the most prominate material in the project. Very ingenious piece of work. |
[The page is a two-column table: item names (Purse-, Photo frame-, Gloves -, Wall plaque-, Box-, Bottle -, Magazine rack-, Ship picture-) in a left column beside each judge’s remarks in a right column, and each is set out here with its own remarks. The heading prints “JUDGES REMARKS ON WESTCN TROPHY ENTREES” — WESTCN and ENTREES are the Society’s own and are kept. “Supurb”, “exceptable” and “prominate” are also printed as shown.]
Page 8
| Lamp- | Very nice piece. Good design. Dark brown around the base or someplace might have improved it some. Workmanship good also good balance. |
| Travelling or overnight bag- | Ingenious handles. Gussets fit well. Large zippered opening with zippered pocket inside. Bottom should have metal feet for protection against soil. |
Hamilton - 84.1%
| Belt- | Nicely braided. Padding should be skived at each end and should not be seen. The ends of the lace should be cemented in a groove deep enough to prevent the ends from becoming loose. Unnecessary to stamp belt, as braiding is sufficient design. |
| Tray- | Beautifully smooth. Moulded evenly. Decoration suitable to size of tray. A very satisfactory piece. |
| Handbag- | Handle padded, fits nicely into the hand. The strap hangers are neatly saddle stitched in keeping with saddle stitching of the whole bag. Lizard grain calf. Gussets fit well. Light in weight. Suburb workmanship. |
| Diary- | One of the older designs, but suitable to this type of article. The flow of lines are laboured but the all-over effect is satisfactory. Edges of pockets inside are beautifully bound. |
| Tobacco Pouch- | Not a glamour article, but most suitable for its purpose. The waterproof lining is running slightly up-hill. This pouch may have been made for a special order, make sure an article like this fits into a pocket. Edges beautifully polished. Domes leather covered. |
London - 71%
| Shoe bag- | Carving good, nice cuts, background especially well done. The construction detracts from the general shape and appearance. |
[The item/remarks table of page 7 continues here, under the section header “London - 71%”. “Suburb” is printed as shown.]
Page 9
Millions of people have a very narrow concept of what recreation really is.
I recall taking part in a recreation survey of the Town of Arthur in my student days. (Mr. Cavill went on to relate a particular recreational survey experience which illustrated his point).
Whether an activity is recreation or not depends on the mental attitude of the individual person at that particular time. What is recreation to one is a boring pastime to another.
Recreation has always been with us - ever since man had leisure time. (It is felt by some men that women have never had anything but leisure time). Recreation has always been with us but now it is exploding around us. We all have more leisure time. A workweek used to be 72 hours, then gradually was reduced to 42 hours, 36 hours and soon it is expected to be 16 hours.
More and more leisure and what do we do with our time? Are we using it constructively? Or are we simply wasting it to become victims of boredom? We hear the complaints that a lot of our problem is in shortage of facilities. This is partly true and a great deal of this is being overcome during this Centennial year.
Millions and millions of dollars are being spent by all levels of Government on providing more facilities. Through grants, the Federal Government pays one-third of the cost of such facilities, one-third by the Provincial Government with the remaining resting with the municipality or local government board. This is a wonderful step in the right direction but there is much still to be done.
We are not making full use of the public facilities we already have - namely, the schools. Why shouldn't the facilities of our schools and Recreation Departments be a joint establishment? Perhaps if this was incorporated in town and city planning, we would have better facilities, used by more people, and still money left over.
Let us go a step further and build our joint school and recreation facilities on our park areas. I am sure we can all see the logic in such a move. In Flint, Michigan this system is in practice. I hope I shall live to see the day when a system such as this will be adopted throughout this Province of Ontario.
[Two corrections after checking the printed page: "with us but now" (a dropped space) and "a system such as this" (a stray period).]
Page 10 — SADDLE STITCHING
SADDLE STITCHING
(as presented at the demonstrations given at the Annual, Barrie)
Tools needed for saddle stitching:
1. Cement
2. Ruler
3. MModeller
4. Stitch marker wheel
Pair dividers
Stitch punch
5. Modeller
Swivel knife
Scratch compass
6. Awl - straight - diamond shaped
OO - rotary
Stitching punch
1. 2 saddle needles
thread
wax
2. mallet or roller
Saddle stitching is a method of joining two pieces of leather (instead of lacing), attaching findings or sewing in zippers.
(1) Cement edges of leather together.
(2) The line of stitching is then marked lightly, approximately 1/16th" from the edge on light leathers and as much as 1/4" on heavy leathers.
(3) Decide the number of stitches per inch that is best suited to the leather thickness and size of thread necessary.
Note: There is a tendency to cut through the leather between stitches if too fine a stitch is used, especially on lighter grades of leather.
(4) Ways of marking stitches:
(a) Space marker and straight edge.
(b) Dividers to mark.
(c) Stitching punch
(5) On the line of stitching make a groove so that stitching is sunk below the surface of wear.
(a) Use modeller on light leathers to depress the line.
(b) Use swivel knife or scratch compass on medium to heavy leathers to cut a groove for thread.
[Faint mirror-image text from an adjacent sheet shows through this page; only the page’s own dark, in-register type is transcribed. Two numbered tool lists are printed here: a 6-item list of marking and cutting tools, then a separately numbered 2-item list of stitching supplies. “3. MModeller” is printed with the M struck twice.]
Page 11
(6) Punch holes on marks
(a) Awl
(b) OO tube for Rotary punch
(c) Stitching punch
Now you are ready to stitch
1. Two saddle needles and a length of waxed thread.
2. Put thread through needle about three inches and with the blunt tip divide the thread back of eye and slip up tight to form a loop and re-wax threads together. Repeat for other end of thread.
3. Hold in vise or something to hold upright.
Insert needle through the third hole from the end and bring to the middle of length of thread. 4. Stitch to end of holes by putting one needle through from one side and other needle through from the other and pull snug but not too tight.
Come back over these two stitches for end strength and continue stitching to the other end.
5. At other end finish by coming back two stitches and cutting off threads with a knife or bring needles up between leathers and tie a knot. Put a dab of cement on and press together and cut off with knife.
6. Tap down with mallet or roll.
7. Finish edge.
COMING EVENTS***COMING EVENTS***COMING EVENTS***COMING EVENTS*** October 25 & 26 -Hamilton Handicraft Guild Annual Sale, Royal Botanical Gardens Headquarters, Administration Bldg., Plains Rd. W. Burlington.
November 4-Annual sale, Caledon East Arts & Crafts, Caledon East Community Memorial Hall from 10.30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
November 9-Women's Committee, Design Centre - Wood by Campbell Scott and Leather by Nora Huyck at 9.30 a.m. at 131 Bloor St. W., Toronto.
November 14 to end of December-Eskimo Carving - fall showing of a new shipment at the Craft Gallery, 75-77 Bloor St. W., Toronto.
Page 12 — BRANCH OFFICERS FOR 1967-68
Nov 1, 2, 3, 4 Canadian Handicraft Guild Christmas Sale at 75-77 Bloor Street West, Toronto- Don't miss it! Nov 16, 17 & 18 Pottery Guild Annual Sale at 100 Avenue Rd.,
Toronto.
BRANCH OFFICERS FOR 1967-68
Barrie:
| President | Mrs. Joy Findlay |
| Vice-President | Mrs. Eleanor Coutts |
| Secretary | Mrs. Kay Cloughley |
| Treasurer | Mr. John Findlay |
Belleville:
| President - | Mrs. Dorothy Harwood |
| Vice-President | Mr. Harold Connors |
| Secretary-Treas. - | Mrs. Irene Girling |
Hamilton:
| President | Mrs. K. Beech |
| Vice-President | Mrs. R. Haig |
| Secretary | Miss E. Burgess |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Jessie Strain |
London:
| President | Mrs. Sylvia Gerster |
| Vice-President | Mrs. Ivy Rath |
| Secretary | Mrs. Marjorie Switzer |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Helen Wheaton |
Toronto:
| President | Mr. Cecil Roebuck |
| Vice-President | Mrs. Gwen Prestwick |
| Secretary | Mrs. Thelma Terry |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Sadie Roebuck |
Chairman of Council of Fellows - Fred Brown